Secure hierarchial video delivery system and method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an improved system for the delivery of entertainment and educational programming from a plurality of electronic libraries to a plurality of users. Users actuate a hand operated control device to: review a listing of available programming; enable the delivery of a program from a library; or control the delivery of forwarding and rewinding through the programming, and authorizing the purchase of advertised consumer goods by entering in personal identification numbers. The network of libraries and the paths for delivering the programming stored therein is arranged for optimum transmission efficiency and maximum access capacity. The key idea in optimizing transmission efficiency and access capacity is to recognize that programming can be grouped into different classes, and that not all classes of programs should be stored in all libraries. High demand entertainment programming should be stored and delivered from a central source whereas low demand educational or cultural programming should be stored and delivered from a local neighborhood library where there is a special interest in such programming. The system is intrinsically secure and encryption is not required. Programs are not delivered to any physical address other than that of the ordering user. Apparatus is employed to discourage the unauthorized copying of delivered programming. The system also permits the delivery of conventional cable television signals on a competitive basis. Apparatus is employed that maximizes access capacity and minimizes investment cost.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

(General) This invention relates to apparatus for use in the userinitiated and controlled delivery of educational and entertainmenttelevision programming from remotely located electronic libraries, andconventional cable television sources, to the users physical location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(Addresses Educational Needs) As residents of a community have differenteducational needs, and there is a need for a system for electronicallydelivering audio-visual educational programming from an electroniclibrary to the learners physical location, and it is desirable todeliver educational programming when the learner desires suchprogramming, and it is required that learners have the ability to start,stop, fast-forward and rewind the playing of such programming; apparatusis needed to provide for such requirements. This invention provides forsuch educational needs.

(A Form of Pay TV) Although an educational electronic library anddelivery system may be publically funded by a community library or apublic educational institution, the sponsoring agencies may wish toincorporate such a service on a user pay basis. In addition, privateeducational institutions may desire to make use of such apparatus. Whenso employed the system becomes a form of pay television.

(Elimination of Monopoly) Presently competing cable TV operators withina franchise area are faced with the uneconomical prospect of duplicatedistribution networks. Usually this has resulted in an avoidance ofcompetition, the result being that a single operator monopolizes thedistribution of cable TV programming within a franchise area. Potentialcompeting operators are discouraged from entering into competitionwithin a franchise area as the duplicate distribution network has apotential of only 50% of the return of a monopoly franchise area ofequal investment cost. It is observed that approximately 15% of thecapital investment in a cable TV distribution system is in primarytrunking costs compared with 85% in the secondary distribution network.If the secondary distribution network could be made available for use bycompeting cable TV operators and duplication of same avoided, then theprobability of a plurality of cable operators competing for businesswithin an area becomes economically feasible.

(Accessability Limits) An educational electronic library and deliverysystem requires the ability to provide all residents of an urbansociety, who have a desire to access and a means to pay for sucheducational services, the ability to access the widest possible varietyof programming at the time desired with the minimum of conflict betweenusers. All pay TV systems employed to date severely restrict user choiceas the apparatus provided is limited in its capacity to simultaneouslyaccess and deliver the required quantity and variety of programs.

(Prior-Art-Bradley, switching/bus techniques) Most cable TV systems inuse today frequency division multiplex a plurality of subscriptiontelevision channels and a plurality of pay per view channels onto asingle coaxial cable for transmission and distribution to residences. Afew also allocate some channel capacity for the transmission of userselected video-on-demand programming from a central library to user'sresidences. An example of such apparatus is given in an associate priorpatent, Bradley, Stretten, Stretten and Wentzel (U.S. Pat. No.4,878,245). The prior Bradley et al. patent teaches that userprogramming choice can be expanded by using the same radio-frequency TVchannels to carry different programming by separating duplicatefrequencies onto a plurality of physically separate transmission paths,each path serving a separate group of subscribers, where each usercontrols a radio frequency isolation switch to permit the user to accessextra channels when desired.

In a previous associated patent, Bradley, Stretten, Stretten and Wentzel(U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,245), each community of about 100 homes wasprovided an individual fiberoptic fiber as the transmission facilityfrom a central electronic library to the community. With this previousproposed arrangement the quantity of programs that could besimultaneously delivered is restricted by the capacity of the fiberlink. Also if a single library serves the entire urban centre, many ofthe communities of 100 homes would be very distant from the librarymaking the cost of adding additional fiberoptic transmission facilitiesexpensive. In addition different communities have different educationaland cultural needs. For example, an Italian community would wantprogramming different than a Hispanic community, a low income communitywould have a greater need for basic job skills programming than a highincome community. Therefore, it would be more efficient to store andtransmit special interest programming from a library located in theneighborhood community than transmit such programming over a longdistance from the central library. This previous proposal suggests noalternative to a single centralized electronic library.

Programming should therefore be classified and distributed among anetwork of libraries in order to reduce implementation cost and improvetransmission efficiencies. Programming for which there is a commoninterest, and high demand, should be distributed from a central library.Programming of local interest and modest demand should be stored anddistributed from libraries located in the neighborhood community.Programming of common interest but very low demand should be distributedfrom the central library for short term storage at a local library whereit is available for user access and control. The apparatus embodiedherein improves upon the distribution efficiency by taking intoconsideration the differing nature of and demand for programming.

(VCR Like Control) In addition our previous embodiment provided usercontrol of only the starting of the delivery of a program. No means isprovided for the user to control the stopping, fast forwarding,rewinding, or replaying of a program. As the educational user needs tohave access to the ordering and control link at all times to permitcontrol over the delivery of the programming an alternative to thepublic telephone network, as proposed in our previous patent, wasrequired in order to avoid telephone facility blocking problems.

(Control Path Blocking) Another object of this invention is theprovisioning, for each of a plurality of users, an ordering and controllink that is effectively available for user at all times, and that isintrinsically secure.

The provisioning of the start/stop, wind/rewind feature is anotherreason for not locating educational programming at the central libraryas learners could tie up expensive, long transmission facilities forextended periods of time.

(Prior Art Sub-Centres) Nakajima et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,176) andYabicki et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,989), proposed an electronic librarysystem with optional sub-centres located between the location of wherethe video/audio files are stored and the end user. The purpose ofsub-centres is to reduce the cost of potentially long transmission linesfrom the central program file to the end user. Sub-centres do not storefiles for direct access by users but only have buffer memory capabilityto permit high speed transmission from the central file and thesub-centre and real-time retransmission to the user. The apparatus asembodied in both patents fails to address the special needs ofeducational programming services, the savings realized by storing someprograms near the physical location of the end user and other programsat a central location, and the congestion problems associated with theuse of the public telephone network for control and ordering.

(Security) Most pay TV systems, including the Bradley et al previousembodiment, simultaneously deliver the same programming to a pluralityof physical location within the unique fiberoptic fed neighborhood. Ourprevious embodiment uses a combination of filters and switches to blockthe delivery of programs to a potential users television receiver shouldthe potential user not wish to pay for the programming. Physicalsecurity means are required to prevent unauthorized users from receivingthe pay programming by tampering with the filters and switches.Occasional physical inspection is required to deter tampering. Mostother pay TV systems use addressable encryption or jamming apparatus toprevent programming, for which a potential user has decided not to payor is not permitted to purchase, from being intelligently received. Thethree most common methods of defeating such apparatus are; bytransferring the internal unique descrambler identity keys from anauthorized unit to an unauthorized unit thus making both units identicalas far as addressing signals are concerned, by extracting the decodeddescrambling keys from an authorized descrambling device and programminginto an unauthorized descrambler; by relocating an authorizeddescrambler from a physical location where it is permitted to be used toa location where it is not (for example, from a private residence whereprivate viewing is permitted to a public establishment where publicviewing is denied).

Each of the above security systems have only a limited lifetime. Somemonths or years after installation methods of defeating the apparatusbecome widespread and the system operator is required to change out thesecurity apparatus. Another object of this invention is the proposal ofa security method that is intrinsically secure, that does not requirethe use of encryption or jamming apparatus.

This embodiment improves upon the security method embodied in ourprevious patent by moving the point of programming denial into a singlesecure neighborhood building or structure, thus eliminating the need forphysical inspection of a plurality of apparatus distributed throughoutthe neighborhood.

(Bulk Problems) The disadvantage of feeding every user location from asingle neighborhood distribution point is that should coaxial cable beused the physical bulk of the cable becomes a burden.

This embodiment improves upon Nakajima and Yabicki by using conventionaltelephone paired copper wires, or low cost fiber optics as thetransmission medium from the neighborhood library to the users physicallocation. Should the length of the transmission line from the locallibrary to the user's location be less than typically 2 km., then thevideo and audio signals are transmitted via conventional telephonecable, one pair for the video and one pair for the audio, from the locallibrary to the home. Should the distance be longer or a higher bandwidthbe required (for the simultaneous transmission of 2 to 4 AmplitudeModulated Vestigial Sideband (AM VSB) RF channels), then this embodimentproposes the use of a low cost optical transmission line consisting of alow cost optical energy source, and a relatively low bandwidth, highloss fiber. By using paired telephone cable or optical transmission, asopposed to coaxial cable transmission, the physical bulk of the cablingcan be reduced as both are small compared with that of conventionalcoaxial cable transmission systems.

Nakajima and Yabicki, indicates the use of electrical transmissionmethods. They require no encryption or jamming apparatus but either theymust utilize a greater number of subcentres which expands their physicalsecurity needs, or cable bulk becomes a problem; a problem that theyhave failed to address.

(Prior Art Problems-security/blocking) Typical examples of usercontrolled video-on-demand pay TV system are that outlined by Monslow etal. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,320) and Abraham (U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,516;4,567,512; and 4,521,860). Both the Maslow and Abraham apparatus combinea plurality of user ordered programming for multiplexed transmissionover a conventional cable TV system from a video library source to auser's residence, and at each of the plurality of physical locations towhich the programming is delivered is located a device to permit theintelligent viewing of only programs so ordered from that location. Bothfail to consider the problem of migrating receiving apparatus. This is aserious concern as a descrambler located at a user's private residencewhich is authorized to receive a boxing match, for example, may berelocated for use to a public establishment where viewing of the matchis not authorized. Both propose the use of the public telephone networkas the ordering link between the subscriber's residence and the library.The use of both the public telephone network and a conventional CATVdistribution system represent potential blocking problems. Congestioncan appear in both the ordering path and the delivery path.

(Non Blocking Need) Another object of this invention is to design adelivery path that is expandable on an as required basis to ensure thatas the demand for programming grows the system is capable of beingmodified to meet the demand.

(Copy Protection) A concern of programming copyright owners is thatelectronically delivered programming once received can be recorded andcopied for unauthorized distribution. Present art discourages recordingby altering the nature of the video signal such that subsequentrecording is interfered with. Users who wish to make a business out ofsuch a practice use video signal restoration apparatus to restore thevideo signal to a recordable form thus defeating the copy securitysystem. Another object of this invention is a system of imbedding in thevideo signal information that allows the user responsible for theunauthorized distribution practice to be determined.

(Payment Responsibility) Another object of this invention is apparatusfor securely enabling the purchasing of programming and/or consumergoods. The implementation of such a feature requires that the physicallocation of the user be correctly identified and is free from tampering,and that the personal identification of the ordering user be identifiedand valid for the ordering address. The purpose being to minimizeproblems associated with users denying responsibility for payment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects of the invention are as follows:

1. To economically and efficiently provide for the educational andentertainment needs of an urban centre by providing the required accessto a plurality of electronic programming by a plurality of residences,businesses and schools located throughout the urban centre, with aminimum of conflict between the needs of the plurality of users.

2. To provide for the educational and entertainment needs of an urbancentre by providing end users with the ability to select programming fordelivery to their location when they require it.

3. To provide for the educational and entertainment needs of an urbancentre by providing end users with the ability to start, stop, replay,rewind, and fast forward programming as their needs require.

4. To provide for the economic needs of an educational and entertainmentpay television system by providing for the needs of the system toconfirm the identity of an ordering user for the purpose of charging foraccess to and use of programming.

5. To secure the delivery of programming, without the use of encryptionor jamming apparatus, such that programming being ordered by, paid for,and delivered to an authorized user's physical location can not bereceived at a non-paying unauthorized user's physical location.

6. To minimize the construction cost associated with each user'sphysical location being individually fed from a central community accesspoint.

7. To provide for a means of discouraging unauthorized copying anddistribution of delivered programming.

8. To provide for the economic needs of a pay television system byproviding for the needs of the system to confirm the identity of apurchasing user for the purpose of charging for consumer goods soldthrough the use of the system.

9. To provide for the economic needs of a plurality of cable TVundertakings competing within a given cable TV franchise area.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided asecure, hierarchial, video-on-demand television signal distributionnetwork having at least one local community library serving a pluralityof geographically proximate subscribers, each community libraryproviding at least one video distribution bus for attachment of aplurality television channel tuners, one tuner for each subscriber, totune a selected television channel on said video distribution bus fordelivery of the tuned television signal over dedicated television signaldelivery lines to the subscriber, each said library having: a pluralityof television program record and playback units for recording televisionprogramming and playing back previously stored television programming,each television program record and playback unit provided with a channeltuner for tuning a television channel to be recorded and furtherprovided with a tuneable television signal modulator for modulating theplayback television signal to a selectable channel, each modulatorterminated on said video distribution bus; and a user control signalpath for carrying user selection and control data from the subscriberpremises to the local community library whereby the user programmingchoices and control may be acted on by the local library in response touser input to select or control the television signal to be delivered orbeing delivered to the user over the dedicated television signaldelivery line serving the user; and a central library serving said locallibraries having a wide bandwidth television signal delivery linkextending therebetween for delivery of television programming to saidlocal libraries for storage on said program record and playback units orfor delivery to a user served by said local library, further including acontrol data communications path extending between said central libraryand each said local library whereby user selection and controlsignalling may be effected co-operatively by the central and locallibrary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is an overview of the embodied hierarchial network of electroniclibraries.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram that shows, the interconnection ofthe major components of the hierarchial network of electronic libraries,and the identification of the major components of the central electroniclibrary, the neighborhood local library and the apparatus located atuser's residences.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are functional block diagrams that show the apparatusfor formulating and multiplexing, Type A Video-on-Demand (VOD) signalsonto one of a plurality of Type A Buses, Type B Video-on-Demand (VOD)signals onto one of a plurality of Type B Buses, and the method ofproviding a low cost opportunity for one of a plurality of cable TVoperators to have access to a dedicated Type C bus.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram that shows the central libraryapparatus for inserting identification information for the purpose ofidentifying the source of unauthorized duplication of Type B VODprogramming for commercial profit purposes.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram that shows a location for theinsertion of the copy deterrent information which inserts anidentification code unique for each user's physical location.

FIG. 6 shows a wireless remote control transmitter used to provide userswith, library control and access functions, including the ability toplace orders for programs and consumer goods.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram that shows, apparatus forpermitting the user to have user controlled selection of any of a largeplurality of channels distributed on a plurality of buses each of whichcan carry as many RF television channels as can be offered by a cable TVoperator using conventional technology, and apparatus provided for thepurpose of generating text information, such as directory of offeredprogramming information and consumer product ordering information, inresponse to each users request and control signal input.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown an overview of the hierarchialnetwork of electronic libraries. A typical user's residence 1 is shown,alternately an educational institution classroom could be substituted.The user shown receives television signals from a local electronicneighborhood library 2. The neighborhood library is typically locatedwithin 2 kilometers of the user's location. User requested televisionprogramming is transmitted from the local library to the users locationover a dedicated television signal delivery line 3. Preferably thistransmission line is conventional telephone cable or a low cost, lowbandwidth fiberoptic fiber, although a narrow bandwidth minature coaxialcable could be substituted. A plurality of high capacity, wide bandwidthtelevision signal delivery links 4, preferably, fiberoptic fibers,connects the local library with the central library 5. These highchannel capacity wide bandwidth television signal delivery links areused to transmit low demand and/or local interest programming from thecentral library to the local library for storage at the local library,said local library stored programming is available for subsequent accessby neighborhood users such as 1 homing on said local library. Saidfiberoptic link is also available for the distribution of generaldemand, high interest programming, said programming is available fordirect access by users from the central library without storage at locallibraries. A plurality of fiberoptic links 6 is also provided for thepurpose of permitting users to access programming stored at any of theplurality of local neighborhood libraries.

We have discovered that to maximize video access and control for userswhile minimizing the investment necessary to provide the user desiredcontrol and variety of programming, it is useful to categorize orclassify the programming into categories referred to herein as Class "A"Video on Demand (Class "A" VOD), Class "B" VOD and Class "C" VOD. Otherclasses may arise, however, the above 3 are fundamental to understandingthe configuration of apparatus described in accordance with the presentinvention.

Type "A" VOD programming is indicated by a stored video program soughtto be individually controlled by the user to permit pausing, rewinding,fast-forwarding etc. of the actual program source where the programsource is, from a network contention point of view, low demand. That is,the chance or incidence of 2 or more users simultaneously seeking accessto the video program is small. Examples of this type of programming areeducational movies used by the teacher or instructor to assist in thedelivery of educational information to students. The teacher needs topause the movie to permit dialogue at critical points and to rewind themovie to allow previous points to be reviewed etc. Also in this categoryof video program would be cultural or special interest titles (i.e.yesterday's broadcast news).

Type "B" VOD programming is indicated by a stored video program soughtto be individually controlled by the user to permit pausing, rewinding,fast-forwarding etc. of the actual program source where the programsource is, from a network contention point of view, high demand. Thatis, the chance or incidence of 2 or more users simultaneously seekingaccess to the video program is large. Examples of this type ofprogramming are new release movies for which there is a general pent updemand for viewing. The user of such a movie would prefer to select thetitle to be viewed and have the commencement time be as close to therequest as possible, i.e. be viewed on demand. It is also preferable toallow such a user to have the ability to rewind or backup the movie toreview missed spots or to fast-forward the movie to advance to a desiredsubsequent portion.

Type "C" VOD programming is indicated by a video program that may belive or stored but is not individually controlled by the user, where theprogram source is, from a network contention point of view, high demand.That is, the chance or incidence of 2 or more users simultaneouslyseeking access to the video program is large. Examples of this type ofprogramming are traditional broadcast TV carried on the cable media,live events such as sports events or national addresses by theGovernment or a public agency etc. The user of such a video programprefer to select the content or title to be viewed and have the eventunfold with any other involvement.

FIG. 2 shows the interconnection of the major components of thehierarchial network of electronic libraries, and the identification ofthe major components of the central electronic library, the neighborhoodlocal library and the apparatus located at user's residences. It alsoshows three different embodiments of user control signal paths and threedifferent embodiments of the dedicated television signal delivery lines.

With reference to FIG. 2 there is shown the central library 5. Thecentral library contains three basic types of apparatus, the centralstorage and playback apparatus 7 where programming is stored on avariety of media, magnetic tape, laser discs, and computer memory, forsubsequent transmission to local libraries, the master control andbilling computer 8 which records user usage for billing purposes andcontrols the starting and stopping of the video/audio storage andplayback apparatus located in the local library. Also shown is theinterface apparatus 9, 10 and 11 for receiving and transmittingelectronic transmissions from and to a plurality of user's telephoneinstruments 14 and a plurality of local neighborhood libraries. Aplurality of Dual Tone Multifrequency (DTMF) Receivers 9 receives usercommand signals via conventional telephone cable 12, using a dial uppublic switched telephone network (PSTN) 13 that links the centrallibrary 5 to a plurality of user's telephone sets 14 located at aplurality of user's physical locations 1A. The master billing andcontrol computer 8 transmits voice coded computer information via 12, 13and 14 to assist the user in inputting commands, using methods known tothose versed in the art. A plurality of control data communicationsmodems 10 are incorporated to enable the high speed transmission of datasignals to and from a plurality of local library control computers 15located in each of a plurality of local electronic libraries 2. Forsecurity reasons, the control data communications path 17 is preferablya dedicated voice circuit assigned by the telephone carrier; by way ofillustration, it is shown as a copper conductor cable. The data linktransmits usage data and control commands from the local library to thecentral library, and control commands from the central library to thelocal library. The control commands transmitted from the central librarymaster computer determine what programming is stored on whatstorage/play device located at the local library. A basic component ofthe local library is a local storage, modulation and RF bus network 18,said network has as input television program signals, both Class A, andClass B Video on Demand (VOD) signals transmitted to it via a pluralityof fiber optic transmission facilities 19, and a plurality of televisionsignal equal access points (EAP) 20 that may be used by televisionprogramming providers to distribute their programming over the network.

If the number of record/store/playback apparatus provided at a locallibrary is n units, the number of record/store/playback apparatusstoring programming and available for access by users at any one time isn-x units. The specific x units of apparatus not available for access atany given point in time are alternately available for the purpose ofrecording programming being downloaded to the local library from thecentral library. Thereby permitting the infinite discreet rotation ofavailable programming over time.

Example user locations 1A, 1B, and 1C terminate the reception oftransmitted programming at the user's television receiving apparatus 21.Programming is transmitted to each user's location using the mosteconomical of the following transmission means, fiber optics, coaxialcable, or paired copper conductor.

In user access method "A", twisted pair copper conductor 3A is employedas the dedicated television signal transmission line between the locallibrary 2 and each of the plurality of neighborhood user locations 1A.Baseband video transmitter 28 is designed to pre-emphasize thetransmitted baseband video signal to compensate for high frequencycapacitive roll-off effects and possible color subcarrierintermodulation distortion that will be introduced by the twisted paircopper conductor 3A when used as the transmission medium for the highfrequency signals of the base band video signal. The so conditionedvideo signal is then amplified and converted to a balanced impedancerelative to ground output by video baseband transmitter 28 and carriedto a user location. The associated audio signal being amplified andapplied in a balanced to ground configuration to a second telephonecable pair (not shown) for simultaneous transmission to said user'slocation. At said user's location the separate audio and video signalsare AM VSB modulated onto an RF carrier by Baseband Receiver 37 forsubsequent reception by user's TV receiving apparatus 21.

User generated control and selection signals are transmitted from theuser location to the local library control computer by using publicswitched telephone network 13 by dialling the master control and billingcomputer 8 and using the dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) tones producedby the telephone 14. The origin of the programming selection and controlsignalling being received by the master billing and control computer isassured by employing one of two possible methods. Firstly, the user maybe required to enter an identity and/or security code known only to theuser served by dedicated television delivery path 3A. Alternately, thebilling and control computer can be equipped to identify the incomingcaller by using automatic number identification (ANI) used, for example,in toll billing for long distance calls.

In User access method "B", fiber optics is employed as the dedicatedtelevision signal transmission line between the local library 2 and eachof the plurality of neighborhood user locations 1B. This configurationis the preferred embodiment of the dedicated television signaltransmission line 3B as it provides the most bandwidth to each user withthe least amount of cable bulk at the local community electronic library2 end. Radio frequency television signals are modulated onto a lightwavemedium via a plurality of photonic transmitters 22. The transmittedoptical signal is received from the fiber optic dedicated televisionsignal transmission line 3B by photonic receiver 24. Photonic receiver24 converts the received optical signal into a radio frequency signalwhich is transmitted to the user's TV 21 via coaxial cable 25.

User input to the network for selection and control of the programmingbeing received or being selected to be received can be communicated tothe control computer via the user's telephone set located at the userlocation 1B (not shown, but see 14 in user access method "A").Alternately, programming selection and control signals can becommunicated to the control computer 15 through user operation of awireless transmitter 28 which transmits a low data speed wireless signalto wireless receiver 29. Wireless receiver 29 then converts the wirelesssignal to an electrical signal for transmission over a user controlsignal path 30B, which is a copper transmission path that is dedicatedto the individual user. Thus the origin of the programming selection andcontrol signal is assured by the immovable physical path in the form ofa dedicated user control signal path 30B.

In user access method "C" coaxial cable is employed as the dedicatedtelevision signal transmission line 3C between the local library 16 andeach of the plurality of neighborhood user locations 1C. Radio frequencytelevision signals are amplified for transmission by a plurality oftransmitters 26, coaxial cable 32 connects said amplifier apparatus tothe high frequency transmit port of High/Low Coupler 33, coaxial cable3C connects the high frequency output port of High/Low Coupler 27 to thehigh frequency input port of High/Low Coupler 34, and coaxial cable 35connects the high frequency output port of High/Low Coupler 34 to user'stelevision receiving apparatus 21. Selection and control signals can becommunicated to the control computer 15 through user operation of awireless transmitter 28 which is connected to the low frequency inputport of the High/Low Coupler 34 where the user control signal path 30Cis carried in the reverse direction on the coaxial cable to High/LowCoupler 27 the low frequency output port of which is connected to thelocal control computer 15. Thus, in this configuration, the coaxialcable 3C is a 2 way transmission apparatus with the high frequency TVsignals going in one direction and the low frequency user control datasignals going in the other direction, a technique that is well known topractitioners of the art. Thus the origin of the programming selectionand control signal is assured by the immovable physical path in the formof dedicated coaxial cable 30C.

It will be understood that user input to the network for selection andcontrol of the programming being received or being selected to bereceived can be communicated to the control computer via the user'stelephone set located at the user location 1C (not shown, but see 14 inuser access method "A"). In such a case, the need for High/Low Couplers34 and 27 at each end of the coaxial cable 3C is eliminated as thecoaxial cable is no longer a 2 way transmission apparatus; it is reducedto carrying high frequency TV signals in one direction only.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B which shows the apparatus forformulating and multiplexing Type A Video-on-Demand (VOD) signals ontoone of a plurality of Type A Buses, for formulating and multiplexingType B Video-on-Demand (VOD) signals onto one of a plurality of Type BBuses, the method of eliminating the cable TV monopoly by providing alow cost opportunity for each cable TV operator to have dedicated accessto one of a plurality of Type C buses and providing the opportunity forusers to select the bus and cable TV programming of their choice.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B there is shown the apparatus forreceiving programming transmitted to one of a plurality of localneighborhood electronic libraries, and the apparatus for processing saidprogramming for subsequent distribution on radio frequency distributionbusses.

Shown is one of a plurality of Type A Video-on-Demand Buses, one of aplurality of Type B Video-on-Demand Buses, and one of a plurality ofType C Cable Television buses.

Type A programming is stored for access by users in a video librarycomprising a plurality of record and playback units 45. At any period intime, some of the record and play units are off-line and not availablefor access by users; said units are available at that time for receivingand recording programming downloaded from the central library. By sodoing the Type A VOD programming available at a local library iscontinually being changed, and by said continuous change the capacity ofthe transmission facility from the central library to the local libraryfor Type A VOD programs need not be large. Said transmission facility islabelled as 4 in FIG. 1, and as 38 in FIG. 3A and is shown as a singlefiber optic fiber. A fully equipped single fiber has a capacity as highas 864 program down loads per day with each program being 2 hours induration and download load being in real time, a minimum equipped fiberwould have a capacity of 12 downloads per day of 2 hour programs at realtime. The fully equipped fiber carries 72 television channels and theminimum equipped fiber 1 channel.

Should the facility be a coaxial cable transmission line from thecentral library, or a coaxial cable feed from a source other than thecentral library such as a television receive only satellite earthstation, the facility is shown as 39 in FIG. 3A.

All programming selection, recording and playback operations arecontrolled by information received by the local library control computer15 from either the master control and billing computer 8 via controldata communications path 17, or the User via the user control datasignal path 30, as previously described in reference to FIG. 2describing embodiments 30A, 30B and 30C.

The central library Master Control and Billing Computer 8, in FIG. 2,transmits signals on control data communications path 17 advising thelocal control computer 15 to ready recording apparatus for the receptionof Type A VOD programming about to be downloaded to said local library 2on fiber optic link 38; it also instructs the Local Control Computer 15as to which one of a plurality of record units 45 the programming is tobe recorded on, and informs the Local Control Computer 15 as to theradio frequency television channel the program will be transmitted on.

For example, should the programming be transmitted on fiber optic feed38, the Local Control Computer 15, having previously been advised ofsaid transmission by Master Control and Billing Computer 8 over controldata communications path 17, sends control data via input selectorcontrol signal path 41 to the input selector 40 to enable reception ofprogramming from said fiber optic feed 38 and internal photonic receivercircuitry 60 so as to receive a plurality of television signals,electrically formulated, by way of example, as radio frequency amplitudemodulated vestigial side band (AM VSB) signals; said RF signals are fedto distribution unit 42 via selector switch 61, said distribution unit42 distributes said signals to a plurality of tunable, addressabledemodulators 44. Said tunable demodulators are controlled by the Localcontrol computer 15 via tuneable, addressable demodulator control path43, the audio and video outputs of said demodulators is applied to theinput of one of a plurality of record and playback units 45. LocalControl Computer 15 controls the recording operation of the record andplayback units 45 over control path 46. Upon reception of a user requestsignal on of a plurality of user control signal paths 30, said LocalControl Computer 15 transmits a play signal to the record and playbackunits 45 stores information as what program was ordered by what user andthe time and date of the request, said ordering information issubsequently transmitted via control data communications path 17 to theMaster Control and Billing Computer 8 in FIG. 2. Video and audio signalscorresponding to said programming request are modulated by the RFmodulator 47 associated with the record and playback unit 45 playingsaid requested programming. Typically each of the plurality of Type A RFBuses 49 could carry up to 72 separate simultaneous programs. Each ofsaid busses 49 has a plurality of outputs one of which is dedicated toeach of the plurality of user locations 1 associated with said localneighborhood library 2. Typically, there are up to 600 user locationsfed from each local neighborhood library.

The central library's Master Control and Billing Computer, 8 in FIG. 2,transmits signals on control data communications path 17 advising thelocal control computer 15 to ready recording apparatus for the receptionof Type A VOD programming about to be received by said local library 2from satellite receiving antenna system 64, it also instructs the LocalControl Computer 15 as to which one of a plurality of record units 45the programming is to be recorded on. For example, should the satellitetelevision programming be received on coaxial cable 39, the LocalControl Computer 15, having previously been advised of said transmissionby Master Control Computer 8 over control data communications path 17,sends control data to the input selector 40 to enable reception ofprogramming from said coaxial cable 39, said input selector switch tunesits internal satellite receiving apparatus 62 via control signal path 41so as to receive an audio and a video signal. Said tuning signalsreceived by input selector 40 over control signal path 41 control thepositioning of the satellite receiving antenna, polarization selection,and video and audio subcarrier selection. Antenna positioning controlsignals are transmitted to satellite antenna 64 by control path 63. Saidvideo/audio signals are VSB AM modulated by the satellite receivingapparatus onto an RF television channel carrier and distributed to aplurality of tunable, addressable demodulators 44 and subsequently to aplurality of record and playback units 45. Local Control Computer 15controls the digitally controlled tuner/demodulator 44 over control path43, and also controls the recording operation of the record and playbackunits 45 over control path 46. Upon reception of a user requesttransmission over one of a plurality of user control signal paths 30,said Local Control Computer 15 addresses the desired record and playbackunit 45 and transmits a play signal to said addressed unit, said unitstores the transmitted program. Video and audio signals corresponding tosaid programming request are modulated by the RF modulator 47 associatedwith the record and playback unit 45 playing said requested programming.Typically, each of the plurality of Type A RF Buses 49 could carry up to72 separate simultaneous programs. Each of said busses 49 has aplurality of outputs one of which is dedicated to each of the pluralityof user locations 1 associated with said local neighborhood library 2.Typically, there are up to 600 user locations fed from each localneighborhood library.

The central library's Master Control and Billing Computer 8, in FIG. 2,transmits signals on control data communications path 17 advising thelocal control computer 15 as to the name and duration, and channelassignments given to Type B Video-on-Demand programming about to be orbeing transmitted from the central library 5 to the local neighborhoodlibrary 2 for access by users 1 via one of a plurality of Type Bdistribution busses 54. The typical duration of each Type B VOD programwould be about two hours. Typically, each of a plurality of Type Bprograms would be transmitted on 24 different radio frequency televisionchannels with the start time of transmission being delayed 5 minutesfrom the start of the first transmission to the start of the second, andbeing delayed 5 minutes from the start of the second transmission to thestart of the third transmission, etc. The purpose of so doing is toprovide the user with the ability to effectively pause his or herreception of said programming 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, etc.,so as to permit the user with the opportunity to replay programming orto take a break from viewing. Typically 72 RF TV channels would bereceived on each fiber, or 1 fiber has the capacity to carry 3 separateType B Video-on-Demand programs, where each of said programs offers said24 separate viewing opportunities spaced 5 minutes apart in playingtime. The preferred embodiment is for each fiber to carry the 72channels in a VSB AM frequency division multiplex form, with each ofsaid 72 channels being modulated onto different television channel.Channel frequencies are repeated on fibers feeding different Class Bbuses. The photonics receivers 52 converts the signals from optical toelectrical form. The broadband RF amplifiers 53 each amplify the 72 TVchannels prior to their being combined onto the radio frequencydistribution bus 54. Each of said busses 54 has a plurality of outputsone of which is dedicated to each of the plurality of user locations 1associated with said local neighborhood library 2. Typically there areup to 600 user locations fed from each local neighborhood library.

Referring to the Type "C" Cable TV BUS portion of FIG. 3, there is showna television signal equal access point 20 which allows equal access bytelevision programmers to distribution of their television signals bythe network. The preferred embodiment is for each equal access point tobe a single coaxial cable type feed for carrying 1 to 72 channels in aVSB AM frequency division multiplex form to broadband amplifier 57, witheach of said 1 to 72 channels being modulated onto different televisionchannel. Channel frequencies are repeated on different coaxial cablesfeeding different Class C buses. The broadband RF amplifiers 57 eachamplify the 72 TV channels prior to their being combined onto the radiofrequency distribution bus 58. Each of said busses 58 has a plurality ofoutputs 59 one of which is dedicated to each of the plurality of userlocations 1 associated with said local neighborhood library 2. Typicallythere are up to 600 user locations fed from each local neighborhoodlibrary.

FIG. 4 shows the central library apparatus for inserting identificationinformation for the purpose of identifying the source of unauthorizedduplication of Type B VOD programming for commercial profit purposes.

Video play unit 65 is one of 4 shown but one of 72 provided for eachfiberoptic fiber, each of which has a capacity of carrying 3 Type Bprograms to a local library as previously said, each program beingplayed on 24 video play units 65, each play unit starts the play of theprogram 5 minutes after the start of the previous unit thus providingthe user the opportunity to effectively pause or replay the program from5 minutes to 120 minutes after initial playing has begun on the first ofsaid video play units. Each of the plurality of video play units 65feeds one of a plurality of vertical blanking interval (VBI) datainserters 66. The output of each of the plurality of VBI data insertersare provided to insert information into the vertical blanking intervalof the played program. The inserted VBI information identifies the timeand date of the transmission and the identity of the local library towhich the program is being transmitted for subsequent distribution tolocal neighborhood community users. Each of the plurality of VBI datainserters 66 feeds one of a plurality of character generators 67. Thecharacter generators are provided to insert information into the visiblevideo of the played program. The inserted video information identifiesthe time and date of the transmission and the identity of the locallibrary to which the program is being transmitted for subsequentdistribution to local neighborhood community users. Said information isdistributed throughout the program so as to be difficult to removewithout deleting valuable program information. Either the VBI datainserter or the character generator may be deleted. It is desirable butnot necessary to incorporated both deterrent methods.

FIG. 5 shows the local library apparatus for inserting identificationinformation for the purpose of identifying the source of unauthorizedduplication of Type B VOD programming for commercial profit purposes.This apparatus enhances the copy protection information provided by thecentral library disposed equipment described in relation to FIG. 5 as itidentifies the specific user location to which the programming is beingtransmitted compared to the identification of only the local library towhich the programming is being distributed. When Type B VOD programmingis selected for distribution to one of a plurality of user locations bythe bus selector switch 91 in FIG. 7, 72 channels of Type B programmingis switched through the bus selector switch from one of a plurality ofType B buses 54 to a tunable frequency converter 94. The Local ControlComputer 14, that also controls the bus selector switch 91 via controlpath 93 in FIG. 7, addresses the tunable RF converter that is providedon a dedicated basis to the ordering user location and transmits digitaltuning information via control path 101 in FIG. 5 to the addressedconverter 94. The RF television channel that has been ordered by saidordering user is tuned to and demodulated, the demodulated video outputof which is input to a dedicated VBI data inserter 99 which insertstime, date and user location identification information throughout thevertical blanking interval of the video signal. The output of said VBIdata inserter is connected to the dedicated character generator 100which inserts time, date and user location identification informationthroughout the visible portion of the video signal. Said information isdistributed throughout the program so as to be difficult to removewithout deleting valuable program information. As is the case in theapparatus shown in FIG. 4 either the VBI data inserter or the charactergenerator may be deleted. It is desirable but not necessary toincorporate both deterrent methods.

The wireless remote control shown in FIG. 6 is provided for the purposeof providing the user with a user friendly apparatus for requestingprogramming directory information and, possibly, consumer goods as well.By pressing source button 77 the user can transmit to the local librarya request to access any one of a plurality of video distribution buses.Two Source buttons are shown, one for toggling upward through theavailable buses and the other for toggling downward through theavailable buses.

A user may review a listing of the available programming offered on theselected bus by pressing one of the two directory buttons 78. Subsequentpressing of the Up Directory button permits the user to scroll upwardthrough the directory of offered programming and by pressing the DownDirectory button permits the user to scroll back down through thedirectory listing for the selected bus. The program listed in the middleof the directory listing shown on the TV screen is highlighted on saidscreen for the purpose of identifying the program that would be orderedshould the user press the File Select button 79 at that time.

When the user has requested Type "A" VOD programming, pressing the Playbutton 80 initiates the start of the playing of the previously selectedprogram. Similarly pressing the Stop button 81 halts the play operation.Pressing the Rewind button 82 permits the user to rewind the playedprogram, the amount rewound depends on the amount of time that the userhas the rewind button depressed. Similarly the pressing of the FastForward button 83 permits the user to fast forward through the selectedprogram.

Should the user have selected a Type B VOD program, pressing the Rewind5 min. button 84 results in the user's dedicated tunable RF converter 94being re-tuned to an RF TV channel delivering the selected programmingbut delayed 5 minutes relative to the previously selected channel.Subsequent pressing of the Rewind 5 minute button permits the user tojump back an additional 5 minutes, etc. Similarly pressing the FastForward button 85 permits the user to jump forward to an RF TV channelwhich is also carrying the selected program but the playing of which is5 minutes ahead of the previously selected RF channel.

The ten digit keypad 86 is provided for the purpose of permitting theuser to input a Personal Identification Number or PIN number. Theinsertion of the PIN number permits the user to order consumer goods,said consumer goods being advertised on a consumer goods advertisingchannel. Said advertising channel being distributed on one of theplurality of Type C Cable TV buses 58 (although alternatively it may betransmitted to the local library 2 from a central source by satellite,coaxial cable or fiberoptic cable and distributed on a fifth bus type).

The transmission of said PIN number also permits the user to have thepayment for said ordered goods authorized to be charged to a previouslyapproved line of credit or credit card. By pressing the Purchase button87 the ordering of the advertised goods, seen at the instant that saidgoods are visible on said ordering user's TV receiving apparatus screen21, is initiated. Upon reception of such a request the local controlcomputer 15 switches the video signal then being delivered to the userto the Directory or D Bus, the D Bus 92 is shown in FIG. 6 as is the BusSelector Switch 91 and the local control computer 15. The Local ControlComputer, transmits a text message to a previously idle D Bus RFtelevision channel, switches said ordering user's bus selector switch tothe D Bus, tunes said ordering user's RF frequency converter to saidpreviously idle RF television channel, for the purpose of transmitting arequest to said ordering user's television receiving apparatus. Saidrequest asks said ordering user to enter said PIN number. Should a validPIN number be entered within a specified time period the Local ControlComputer 15 then transmits a series of messages to the purchasing user'sTV 21 that asks the user to identify, using the keypad 86, the creditcard type, credit card expiry data and credit card number to which thepurchase is to be charged. Upon receipt of the required information thecontrol computer then transmits a text description of the productordered and requests the purchaser to confirm the product ordered bypressing the Purchase button 87 for a second time. Alternately shouldthe Stop button 81 be pressed the order is cancelled. The Local ControlComputer 15 then transmits all required ordering information to thecentral Master Computer and Billing Computer 8 for order processing.

FIG. 7 shows apparatus for permitting the user to have user controlledselection of any of a large plurality of channels. A plurality of busesare shown, each of which carries a plurality of radio frequency,frequency division muitiplexed television channels. Each bus typicallywould have a capacity of 72 of such channels, which is a typical maximumnumber of channels that could be delivered by a cable TV operator usingconventional cable TV delivery apparatus. Although only one of each ofthe Type A Video-on-Demand Bus 49 and one Type B Video-on-Demand Bus 54are shown, and only one Type C Cable TV Bus 59 and one Type D DirectoryBus 92, it is understood from the earlier disclosure in relation to thisinvention that, typically, there would be employed a plurality of eachbus in use at each local library 2.

User input control signals are transmitted to the Local library ControlComputer 15, which performs functions as a directory generator, on aplurality of signal paths 30 as previously embodied in FIG. 2. The locallibrary control computer 15 reacts to a user request for a specific busand program by addressing the dedicated bus selector switch 91 which isprovisioned for the requesting user's location, by transmitting to thatselector switch via control path 93 instructions for it to connect theappropriate bus to the digitally tunable RF television channel frequencyconverter 94. The switching technology used may be any of the methodsdescribed in Bradley et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,245.

Also shown in FIG. 7 is the apparatus provided for the purpose ofgenerating text information, such as the previously referred todirectory of offered programming, and consumer product orderinginformation and prompts. Said directory of offered programminginformation is transmitted in response to user control and is typicallydifferent from text information being delivered to other users at thesame time. Said text information being displayed on the user's TVscreen. Said text information is converted from data format to videoformat and modulated onto one of a plurality of RF television channelsby one of a plurality of video drivers and modulators 92. Said RFtelevision channels are frequency division multiplexed onto one of aplurality of directory or D Buses 92. Said D Bus output is amplified andsplit into 600 separate outputs, one of which is applied via signal path97 to each of the bus selectors 91 dedicated to an end user location.Bus selection is controlled by control signal path 93, and RF channelselection is controlled by turning signal path 95. The ordered programis transmitted to an RF modulator, baseband audio and video amplifiersor photonic transmitter via signal path 96 for subsequent transmissionto the user's location as shown in FIG. 2.

It will be understood that various modifications will occur to thoseskilled in the art without departing from the inventive concept, whosescope it is desired to define only by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A secure, hierarchial, video-on-demand television signaldistribution network comprising:at least one local community libraryserving a plurality of geographically proximate subscribers, eachcommunity library providing at least one video distribution bus forattachment of a plurality television channel tuners, one tuner for eachsubscriber, to tune a selected television channel on said videodistribution bus for delivery of the tuned television signal overdedicated television signal delivery lines to the subscriber, each saidlibrary having: a plurality of television program record and playbackunits for recording television programming and playing back previouslystored television programming, each television program record andplayback unit provided with a channel tuner for tuning a televisionchannel to be recorded and further provided with a tuneable televisionsignal modulator for modulating the playback television signal to aselectable channel, each modulator terminated on said video distributionbus; a user control signal path for carrying user selection and controldata from the subscriber premises to the local community library wherebythe user programming choices and control may be acted on by the locallibrary in response to user input to select or control the televisionsignal to be delivered or being delivered to the user over the dedicatedtelevision signal delivery line serving the user; a central libraryserving said local libraries having at least one wide bandwidthtelevision signal delivery link extending therebetween for delivery oftelevision programming to said local libraries for storage on saidprogram record and playback units, further including a control datacommunications path extending between said central library and each saidlocal library whereby user selections of video programs to be recordedat said local library may be effected co-operatively by the central andlocal library.
 2. A secure, hierarchial, video-on-demand televisionsignal distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein said usercontrol signal path is selected from one of:(a) a touch tone telephoneconnected to the public switched telephone network; (b) a wirelessreceiver connected to a dedicated copper path extending between thelocal library and the user premises.
 3. A secure, hierarchial,video-on-demand television signal distribution network as claimed inclaim 2 wherein said wireless receiver produces signalling on said usercontrol signal path in response to received infra red signalling.
 4. Asecure, hierarchial, video-on-demand television signal distributionnetwork as claimed in claim 2 wherein said wireless receiver producessignalling on said user control signal path in response to receivedradio frequency signalling.
 5. A secure, hierarchial, video-on-demandtelevision signal distribution network as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid subscriber channel tuner includes means for encoding useridentification information in the tuned television signal delivered tosaid subscriber to deter the copying of said television signal.
 6. Asecure, hierarchial, video-on-demand television signal distributionnetwork as claimed in claim 1 wherein said central library includesmeans for producing television programming with at least one sourceselected from:(i) an equal access point apparatus adapted to receivetelevision program signalling from creators of television programming topermit distribution of such programming over the network; (ii) programplayback units containing multiple copies of a video program arranged torepeatedly playback said video program a predetermined time intervals;(iii) video image production means for producing a directory ofavailable video programming.
 7. A secure, hierarchial, video-on-demandtelevision signal distribution network comprising:at least one localcommunity library serving a plurality of geographically proximatesubscribers, each community library providing at least one input videodistribution bus for attachment of a plurality of television programrecord and playback units for recording television programing andplaying back previously stored television programming, each televisionprogram record and playback unit provided with a channel tuner fortuning a television channel to be recorded on said input videodistribution bus and further provided with at least one output videodistribution bus, each said television program record and playback unitfurther provided with a tuneable television signal modulator formodulating the playback television signal to a selectable channel, eachmodulator terminated on said output video distribution bus; a busselector switch for connecting a television channel tuner to either saidinput video distribution bus or said output video distribution bus, onetuner for each subscriber, to tune a selected television channel on aselected video distribution bus for delivery of the tuned televisionsignal over dedicated television signal delivery lines to thesubscriber, a user control signal path for carrying user selection andcontrol data from the subscriber premises to the local community librarywhereby the user programming choices and control may be acted on by thelocal library in response to user input to select or control thetelevision signal to be delivered or being delivered to the user overthe dedicated television signal delivery line serving the user; acentral library serving said local libraries having at least one widebandwidth television signal delivery link extending therebetween fordelivery of television programming to the input video distribution busof said local libraries further including a control data communicationspath extending between said central library and each said local library;whereby user selections of video programs may be made to:(i) be recordedby the record and play back units at said local library by co-operativedata communications between the central and local library over saidcontrol data communications path; (ii) be delivered from a user selectedplay back unit via said bus selector switch and tuner at said locallibrary over said dedicated television signal delivery line under play,pause, rewind, fast-forward, stop control of the user as communicated tothe local library over said user control signal path; (iii) be deliveredby a user selected channel on said input video distribution bus fromsaid central library via said bus selector switch and tuner at saidlocal library over said dedicated television signal delivery line.
 8. Asecure, hierarchial, video-on-demand television signal distributionnetwork as claimed in claim 7 wherein said user control signal path isselected from one of:(a) a touch tone telephone connected to the publicswitched telephone network; (b) a wireless receiver connected to adedicated copper path extending between the local library and the userpremises.
 9. A secure, hierarchial, video-on-demand television signaldistribution network as claimed in claim 8 wherein said wirelessreceiver produces signalling on said user control signal path inresponse to received infra red signalling.
 10. A secure, hierarchial,video-on-demand television signal distribution network as claimed inclaim 8 wherein said wireless receiver produces signalling on said usercontrol signal path in response to received radio frequency signalling.11. A secure, hierarchial, video-on-demand television signaldistribution network as claimed in claim 7 wherein said subscriberchannel tuner includes means for encoding user identificationinformation in the tuned television signal delivered to said subscriberto deter the copying of said television signal.
 12. A secure,hierarchial, video-on-demand television signal distribution network asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said central library includes means forproducing television programming with at least one source selectedfrom:(i) an equal access point apparatus adapted to receive televisionprogram signalling from creators of television programming to permitdistribution of such programming over the network; (ii) program playbackunits containing multiple copies of a video program arranged torepeatedly playback said video program a predetermined time intervals;(iii) video image production means for producing a directory ofavailable video programming. .Iadd.
 13. A secure, hierarchial,video-on-demand television signal distribution network comprising:atleast one local community library serving a plurality of geographicallyproximate subscribers using television signal delivery lines extendingbetween said community library and said proximate subscribers, each saidcommunity library having: television program record and playback meansconnected to said delivery lines for recording television programmingand playing back previously stored television programming; a usercontrol signal path for carrying user selection and control data fromthe subscriber premises to the local community library whereby the userprogramming choices and control may be acted on by the local library inresponse to user input to select or control the television signal to bedelivered or being delivered to the user over one of said delivery linesserving the user; a central library serving said local libraries havingat least one television signal delivery link extending therebetween fordelivery of television programming to said local libraries for storageon said program record and playback means, further including a controldata communications path extending between said central library and eachsaid local library whereby user selections of video programs to berecorded at said local library may be effected co-operatively by thecentral and local library..Iaddend..Iadd.14. A secure, hierarchial,video-on-demand television signal distribution network as claimed inclaim 13, wherein said delivery lines include fiber opticcables..Iaddend..Iadd.15. A secure, hierarchial, video-on-demandtelevision signal distribution network as claimed in claim 13, whereinsaid delivery lines include paired copper conductors..Iaddend..Iadd.16.A secure, hierarchial, video-on-demand television signal distributionnetwork as claimed in claim 13, wherein said record and playback meanscomprises a plurality of units each generating one videosignal..Iaddend..Iadd.17. A secure, hierarchial, video-on-demandtelevision signal distribution network as claimed in claim 13, whereinsaid control signal path is provided by a subscriber means connected toa public switched telephone network..Iaddend..Iadd.18. A secure,hierarchial, video-on-demand television signal distribution network asclaimed in claim 13, wherein said control signal path is provided by awireless receiver connected to a dedicated copper path extending betweenthe local library and the user premises..Iaddend..Iadd.19. A secure,hierarchial, video-on-demand television signal distribution network asclaimed in claim 13, wherein user identification information is encodedin the television signal delivered to said subscriber to deter thecopying of said television signal..Iaddend..Iadd.20. A secure,hierarchial, video-on-demand television signal distribution network asclaimed in claim 13, wherein said central library includes means forproducing television programming with at least one source selectedfrom:(i) an equal access point apparatus adapted to receive televisionprogram signalling from creators of television programming to permitdistribution of such programming over the network; (ii) program playbackunits containing multiple copies of a video program arranged torepeatedly playback said video program a predetermined time intervals;(iii) video image production means for producing a directory ofavailable video programming..Iaddend.